Why is Jerusalem considered holy by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike

A. Jerusalem is home to three of the most religiously significant monuments in the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths - and is therefore a place of pilgrimage for all these religions. For Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is very significant and important because it stands on the site of the crucifixion; for the Jews the western section of the Wailing Wall is the last remnant of the Second Temple making it the most sacred Jewish relic in the world; and for Muslims the Dome of the Rock is the third most important place in Islam as it marks the spot where the Prophet Mohammed made his night accent into heaven.

Q. Is Jerusalem known by this name by all three religions

A. Jerusalem is a universal word for the city, but it is also known as al-Quds in Arabic and Yerushalayim in Hebrew.

Q. Politics aside, what should I visit on a short trip to Jerusalem I am not religious, but have an appreciation for religion and history so would love to visit.

A. There is just so much to see in Jerusalem - and as you won't be visiting from any religious perspective it will mean that your choice is even greater. Some of the most significant sights you should include in any tour of the city include the following:

Ramparts Walk: this is a great place to start any tour of the city - as it gives you magnificent views from the old city wall. The entire wall is not open to the public, as it is closed near Temple Mount but you can walk along both the south and north sections. The wall, which stretches for 4km, was originally built for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1540AD.

Damascus Gate: located in the heart of the Muslim Quarter, the Damascus Gate is one of the places you can enter the wall for the Ramparts Walk - and it is also the largest and grandest of all seven gates that surround the old city.

Via Dolorosa: for Christians this is a significant street as it marks the route taken by Jesus Christ to his crucifixion. Along the way you'll pass the 14 Stations of the Cross (marked with plaques) -which mark significant parts in Christ's life - as written in the four Gospels. At the end of the route is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is the most important place for Christians because it houses within its grounds the places where Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected.

Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra): it is easy to spot this building in the bustling Jerusalem streets because it has an enormous golden dome that usually catches and reflects sunlight. The building itself is absolutely beautiful as it is not just huge and imposing but also decorated with stained glass and mosaic tiles incorporating many intricate designs. It is believed to have been built by Caliph Abd al-Malik Ibn Marawan - to commemorate the place where the Prophet Mohammed accented into heaven.

The Western (Wailing) Wall (HaKotel HaMa'aravi in Hebrew): The Western Wall is often referred to in English as the Wailing Wall as a mark of respect for the lamentations and prayers that take place at the wall - it is covered in prayers and messages to God from thousands of worshippers. The site is important to Jews, as it is the only surviving remnant of the Second Temple. You can find out more about the Western Wall at this website: www.kotelkam.com.

In Hurva Square you can find the remains of the Hurva (Ruins) Synagogue which dates back to 1700, the Ramban Synagogue is the oldest remaining in the Jewish Quarter as it dates back to 1267.

Mount of Olives: houses the Garden of Gethsemane where Christ was arrested and earlier where David mourned the death of his son Absalom. Today it is full of churches and shrines.

Temple Mount Excavations: the artefacts and monuments buried here date back to the tenth Century BC - and are best visited on an organised tour. Some of the sights you'll see here include the Hulda Gates, parts of Herod's temple, and complete streets with remnants of shops and market places.

Q. When is the best time to visit

A. If you are not religious it is best not to visit during a religious holiday as the streets will be overflowing with people and it is very difficult to find anywhere to stay. It is best to avoid Easter (most popular time for Christians), Christmas (Christians and Muslims as it often coincides with Ramadan and Eid), September when the Jewish New Year or Rosh Hashanah is celebrated. Passover in March or April is also very popular time to visit for Jews. Other than that the weather is warm and mild (very hot in summer) although it has been known to snow in the winter - so you can visit any time of year.

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By Karen Anderson